In Lockport, N.Y., inmates at the Niagara County Jail are training Mac, a Newfoundland dog, to become a service animal for a soldier under WNY Heroes’ “Pawsitive for Heroes” program.

The program, launched in 2013, has expanded to six correctional facilities across New York. WNY Heroes, a non-profit organization, works with correctional partners and outside trainers to place service animals with veterans; the dogs are housed and trained inside participating jails while they progress through tasks and socialization. Research shows that inmates participating in dog training programs experience reduced recidivism rates, outperforming those enrolled in traditional vocational programs, highlighting the rehabilitative potential of such initiatives.

Inside the jail, men assigned to the program work on basic obedience, public manners, and task training under the guidance of outside trainers. “We’ve made a mistake to come here, but given an opportunity, we make the most of it,” said Scott Scheira, an inmate at Niagara County Jail. For many of these inmates, the experience provides a structured focus and a sense of purpose, enabling the development of tangible skills that can aid in their rehabilitation post-release.

Trainer Jason Slocum of Communicanine visited to evaluate progress and set weekly goals. “This dog’s bar this week is a little lower than the other dogs,” he said, describing a temporary lag in performance that can occur as trainers adjust expectations and exercises.

Program leaders highlighted Mac’s temperament as a reason for his placement in the facility. Mac is a fast learner and very playful dog, and staff say he is being prepared to perform the skills required of a service animal for a soldier. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, there are no official certification requirements for service dogs; rather, they must be trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability.

Chris Kreiger, president and founder of WNY Heroes, placed the work at the intersection of veteran support and community involvement. “This is our fifth dog with the Buffalo Sabres,” he said, noting partnerships that help fund and promote placements. He also explained the dog’s name: “Mac is named after [Sgt. Heath A. McMillin] who was killed in Iraq in 2003, was a member of the 105th MP company.” Kreiger emphasized both training standards and community backing. “Your dog has to ignore everything that’s on the floor and cannot eat it,” he said, outlining one of the practical requirements for a working service animal. He added, “It’s because of Western New York and everybody across the country who is donating now and wanting to sponsor a dog for a veteran in their town.” As of December 31, 2024, there are approximately 12,450 dogs and puppies in training with Assistance Dogs International Accredited Member organizations across the U.S.

Inmates say the work has given them a structured focus and a tangible skill set. “Who knows? Going on down the road, getting out, I may do something with dogs. I really enjoyed this,” Scheira said. The program pairs correctional training with professional oversight from organizations such as Communicanine and the WNY Heroes staff. Advocates for prison-based assistance dog programs point to broader evidence that these models can deliver training consistency and community engagement; more about similar program models is available from Assistancedogsinternational.

Mac will remain in training inside the correctional setting until he meets the criteria to be paired with a veteran handler, a process that requires mastering public manners and task work. WNY Heroes continues to deploy the model across additional facilities in New York as part of its effort to connect service dogs with veterans who need them.

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